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(Nd `mutex.)

4L. D. MINOR.

GARMENT CLASP. No. 272,075. Patented Feb. 13,1883.

WITNESSES '1N yEJvfroR N. EEIERs Phmmmgnpher. wmingmn, D. c.

UNITED STATES LYMAN D. MINOR., OF

PATENT OFFICE.

OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN GARMENT-CLASP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No'. 272,075, dated February 1e, 188s,

' Appneancm nien November 14,1882. (No model.)

T o all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LYMAN D. MINOR, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county ot' New York and. State of New York, have invented a new and useful Garinent-C1asp, of which the following is a speciiication, reference being had-to the accompari yin g drawings.

This invention relates to` that class of gan ment-clasps which comprise two spring-actuated clamping-jaws, only one of which is secured to its retaining fabric, while the rear edge of the other lever-jaw projects out and is unprotected. This projectingedge of thelever- I 5 jaw, in this class of garment-clasps as heretofore constructed, is a cause of much annoyance to the wearer. The apparel is constantly catching against it, and frequently becomes torn, whilethis tangling of the apparel with lhe projecting edge of' the jaw sometimes dainages the clasp.

To obviate all these disadvantages is the object of my present invention, which is designed to provide a simple, durable, inexpensive, and efficient clasp, in which the surface of either and both jaws will present a smooth contact with the apparel, and in which there will be no projecting' edges to engage or tear the apparel.

To this end the invention consists substantially in forming the clamping-jaws alike and connecting them both at their rear edges to the retaining fabric, one of thejaws being provided with a hingejoint in rear of its pivot, all as will be hereinafter more fully specied.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective v view of my improved clasp attached to its retaining fabric. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.' Fig. 4

,4o is a transverse sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, A A designate Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

[the two clamping-jaws, which are substantially alike, both being provided'with engaging' teeth or serrations (t at their front` clamping edges, and pivoted together in rear of the teeth, as at a', an actuatingspring, B, being interposed to force the clamping-edges of the jaws together. 'At their rear" ends, a2, both jaws are secured to the retaining fabric C. i

D designates a 4joint formed in one of the o jaws, A', between its secured end c2 and its 7 pivot a. This joint D may be formed in any suitable manner, but is preferably constructed, as shown inthe drawings, by turning over the edges of the jaw at thejoint to form eyes a3, through which passes a transverse pin, E, or its equivalent. By pressing at the joint D the clamping ends of the jaws will separate, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2, to clasp the garment in the usual manner.

The advantages of my invention will be readily understood and appreciated. The ready and sure operation of the jaws is increased, as greater bearin g surface for the thumb is provided at thejoint D than heretofore, and there are no projecting edges to be engaged by the apparel.

I claim as my invention- As an improved article of manufacture, a4 garment-clasp comprising two clamping-jaws pivoted together, each jaw having arear end to be engaged bythe retaining fabric, and one jaw being formed with a hinge-joint in rear of its pivot, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as V my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence ot two witnesses.

LYMAN l). MINOR. 

